In April 1891, Nathaniel Rendell, a retired dealer aged 53, lived with his brother, George, in Coker Road, Hardington.

Early life in East Chinnock and Yeovil

Nathaniel was born at East Chinnock in about 1839, the son of Joseph and Ann Rendell. His father was a farm labourer, and his mother was also a farm labourer and later a glove sewer.

Nathaniel began his working life as a farm labourer. In March 1851, Nathaniel was a farm labourer at East Chinnock. In April 1861, he was a carter working on a farm at Sherborne Road, Yeovil.

While at the farm, he met Honor Smith, the farmer’s housekeeper, with whom he formed a strong attachment despite her being about fourteen years older than him.

Life in London

By October 1866, both Nathaniel and Honor had moved to London. Nathaniel was a gentleman’s servant at Surbiton, and Honor was a servant at Deptford. On 4 October 1866, they married at the parish church, Deptford. She signed her name, but he put a cross.

It may not be a coincidence that Honor’s father had died only a few months earlier. Possibly, he objected to his daughter marrying a much younger man.

After marrying, Nathaniel and Honor left domestic service and set up a home together at 1 Claredale Villas, Victoria Road, Surbiton. Their daughter, Alice Flora, was born on 4 April 1868.

Nathaniel prospered in business. By April 1871, he was a labourer but supplemented his income with rent from two boarders. By 1878, a trade directory listed him as a “Butterman”, and the census of 1881 describes him as a “Dealer in Butter & Poultry.

Claredale Villas comprised four properties. By 1878, Nathaniel and his family had moved to number four.

Honor died in October 1887 at the age of 62. By April 1891, when he visited his brother, George, at Hardington, Nathaniel was retired.

Retirement at Odcombe

In about 1897, Nathaniel and his daughter left Surbiton and moved to Odcombe. He died at Surbiton House, Lower Odcombe, on 21 February 1902, aged 63, leaving an estate valued at £2,325-16s. He left his daughter all the money in his house and bank accounts, household goods, and the income from the remainder. He directed that when his daughter died, the residuary fund should pass to her children or, if she died childless, to certain named relatives.[1]

Following his death, his three houses, orchard and pasture field at Odcombe and three houses at Stoford were sold by auction.[2]

References

[1] The will of Nathaniel Rendell, dated 24 December 1901, proved at Taunton on 29 March 1902.

[2] Western Gazette, 4 April 1902 p 1.